Teacher Induction Program

Participants must hold a California preliminary single, multiple, or education specialist credential and be employed part or full-time as a teacher of record in Santa Barbara County. Induction should be completed within the first two years of teaching. Experienced teachers may be eligible for our Early Completion Option. The ECO application can be completed once you are enrolled in the program.

TIP enrollment begins in the summer of each school year. Enrollment is typically coordinated with the Human Resources departments of our public schools. They notify us of their potentially eligible new teachers in late summer and we notify the potential candidates of the enrollment steps a few weeks before school starts. We suggest you ask about TIP participation at the time of hiring to confirm. New teachers in private schools should ask their administration about participation in TIP. If the administration is unable to financially support TIP participation, interested participants may contact us directly for enrollment information and the self-pay option.

• Ongoing support provided by an experienced and trained mentor
• Opportunity to engage in meaningful inquiry related to your teaching assignment
• Professional networking with new and experienced teachers throughout Santa Barbara County
• Professional development books and learning opportunities available through Curriculum and Instruction
• Option for 10 quarter units of continuing education through UCSB PaCE each year (UCSB unit fees are paid by each individual)
• Guidance towards completion of all Professional Clear Credential requirements

We are excited to have the support of over two hundred mentors from our area schools each year. We rely on our participating districts’ and schools’ HR departments to identify and select the appropriate mentors for their new teachers. If you are interested, you should contact your administration and share your interest in becoming a mentor.

• Possession of a Clear Credential and a minimum of three years of effective teaching experience
• Demonstrated commitment to professional learning, collaboration, and a positive attitude
• Ability, willingness, and flexibility to meet candidate needs for support
• Resourcefulness in meeting beginning teacher needs through support of inquiry and reflection
• Student-centered approach to professional practice
• Knowledge of the context and content area of the candidate’s teaching assignment
• A willingness to develop a coaching mindset through participation in mentor trainings (mostly online)

• Develop a trusting and reflective partnership with your candidate honoring confidentiality
• Support candidate(s) in their Individualized Learning Plan (ILP)
• Observe your candidate at least once
• Attend each Mentor Training (up to 4 per year) which includes professional development in effective communication and coaching skills (Advance notice of all training dates on Zoom are provided)
• Serve as a “broker of support” between a candidate and the community of resources available which includes a triad conversation between candidate, site administrator and mentor to discuss candidate’s ILP goals
• Provide “just-in-time” support – meet, record, and submit documentation of an average of no less than one hour per week of individual support/mentoring
• Set and revisit professional mentoring goals applicable to candidate support
• Participate in on-going program evaluation and provide feedback on the program’s effectiveness

• Professional training in mentoring, coaching and teacher leadership, as well as additional opportunities for professional learning, free of charge, through the SBCEO Teacher Induction Program (TIP) Professional Learning offerings through Curriculum and Instruction
• Professional networking with other new and experienced teachers through TIP participation
• Mentor stipend
• Eligibility for 10 quarter units of continuing education through UCSB PaCE each year (UCSB unit fees are paid by each individual)